As the EU trilogue negotiations on the Passenger Rights Regulation continue, AIRE, together with IATA, has issued a joint statement to underline the industry’s key priorities for a clear, balanced and practical outcome.
The aviation sector believes that a successful reform should strengthen passenger protection while supporting a competitive and sustainable European aviation sector. Our main points are:
- Proportionate delay compensation thresholds: The Council’s current proposal — 4 hours for short- and medium-haul flights and 6 hours for long-haul flights — gives airlines sufficient time to address disruptions and helps prevent unnecessary cancellations.
- Clear and flexible definition of extraordinary circumstances: A binding but non-exhaustive list covering severe weather, ATC strikes, security threats, and undetectable technical issues provides legal certainty while allowing airlines to manage events outside their control.
- Protection of pricing freedoms: Preserving airlines’ ability to set prices freely ensures a wide range of fare options for passengers, including affordable tickets for the most price-sensitive travellers.
- Fairer allocation of responsibilities across the transport chain: A balanced distribution of obligations reflects the shared nature of aviation operations and delivers fairer outcomes for passengers.
AIRE and IATA call on EU co-legislators to adopt a regulation that is clear, balanced and effective, strengthening passenger rights while supporting a resilient, competitive and sustainable European aviation sector.
